Cocoa farmers in eight communities threaten to boycott elections
Cocoa farmers in eight communities of Assin North District, have threatened to boycott the December 7 elections if roads and electricity are not provided in the area.
The communities are Armah camp, Ahuntem, Abaase No 2, Mahama, Krofofori, Odagyease, Aboaboso and Assin Simpa.
They made the threat at a press conference at Assin Ahuntem near Assini Foso in the Central Region on Monday.
A spokesman for the communities, Mr Isaac Mensah said for over two decades now, the area has not seen any meaningful development from the Assini North Municipal Assembly and the Central Governments.
Mr Mensah said sometime last week the people in their efforts to voice out their grievances and displeasure, mounted billboards saying “no roads and electricity no vote” in the communities.
Mr Mensah, said to the surprise of the people, the Assin North Municipal Assembly caused the removal of the billboards without any explanation.
He said chiefs, elders and other opinion leaders in the communities reported one Mr Kingsford Deku to the Assin Praso Police for removing the billboards.
Mr Mensah said Deku told the police that he was instructed by the assembly to remove billboards
According to him the Assembly ordered the Assin Praso District Police Commander to release the suspect on bail whilst the assembly meets with the people at Assin Foso to discuss issues affecting them.
Mr Mensah said to the dismay of the people when they came to Assin Foso to meet the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) as directed, they were told he has travelled.
He said in January this year, the MCE met the community leaders and assured them that they would be connected to the national grid in April, 2012, and that the electricity poles would be provided by the MP.
They were also promised that the road linking Assin Achiano to the Communities would be tarred but nothing has been done yet, he said.
He said it is painful that after all their participation in elections over the years, they have not seen any development in the area and appealed to the President and his vice to come their aid.
Mr Mensah said cocoa farmers in the area produce large tons of cocoa annually and wondered why they have been denied of development projects.
When the MCE was reached on phone to react to the concerns of the people, he said he would not pass any comment on the matter.
Source: GNA